Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the physics major a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate command of the material from the 100- and 200-level Introductory Physics classes: classical mechanics; electricity, magnetism and optics; oscillations/waves; thermal physics, special relativity, and quantum mechanics; introductory electronics, computational physics, and experimental physics.
- Apply physical models and computational/analytical techniques used by practicing physicists to solve problems in the foundational areas of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, and quantum mechanics. i.e., material covered by the junior-level 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Physics core lecture courses
- Execute a significant independent research project:
- choose and define a research topic of contemporary interest from a subdiscipline of physics
- design and execute current experimental or theoretical approaches appropriate to the research topic
- independently investigate that topic with the support of an advisor
- in experimental theses, design and construct an experimental station, collect experimental data or assemble data sets from appropriate sources, and evaluate the data using appropriate analytical or theoretical techniques; in theoretical theses, implement up-to-date analytical and/or computational methods to explore and increase understanding of the chosen topic
- analyze, critique, and evaluate existing scholarship
- Communicate work done:
- write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and formatted in a style appropriate to physics research literature
- present, discuss and defend research orally, couching results in the context of accepted physical models and existing research literature
The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and the level of student achievement in these areas, is the senior thesis; the junior qualifying examination serves as the secondary assessment tool. See more information on the thesis and the junior qualifying examination.